|
Marek Zidlicky (Born February 3, 1977, in Most, Czech Republic), is a professional ice hockey player.
Playing Career
Marek Zidlicky was selected 176th overall, in the 6th round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft on June 24, 2001. He was selected as the 6th choice of the New York Rangers. He plays for the Nashville Predators.
Zidlicky had a very strong 2000-2001 season with HIFK Helsinki of the Finnish Elite League ranking 3rd on his team in assists (25) and tied for second on his team in points (37). He also led the league in points by a defenseman. This was enough for the Rangers to draft him in the NHL entry draft that next summer.
However, Zidlicky and the Rangers could never agree to contract terms. The major sticking point was that Zidlicky wanted at two-way contract which would pay him the same amount of money regardless of whether he was playing in the NHL or the AHL. He wanted this contract because he was worried about the depth of the Rangers and did not want to spend too much time in the minor leagues. A two-way contract would make it more likely to for him to be able to get ice time in a Ranger's uniform. However, the Rangers would not agree to such a deal. Because of these contract differences, Zidlicky opted to stay in Finland and continue playing for HIFK Helsinki.
Zidlicky had two more very strong years for HIFK Helsinki leading the team in points in 2001-2002 with 40 points. The next season he tied for the team lead in points with 47.
Realizing that Zidlicky would not come to the United States to play without a two-way contract, and unwilling to give him one, the Rangers traded him, along with Rem Murray and Tomas Kloucek for Mike Dunham on December 12, 2002 to the Nashville Predators.
The following summer the Predators offered him a two-way contract and Zidlicky joined the Predators in Nashville for the 2003-04 NHL season. This proved to be a very successful season for Zidlicky. He recorded his first NHL point in his NHL debut on October 10, 2003 in a 3-1 win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He scored his first NHL goal the next day in the second period of a 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. He became the first Predator to play all 82 games in his first season in the league (he was not considered a rookie because of his age).
Unfortunately for Zidlicky and Predators fans, he was injured when he was checked in the opening minutes of the first ever Nashville Predators playoff game against the Detroit Red Wings. He suffered a concussion and was unable to return for any more games in the playoff series.
During the 2004 NHL Lockout Zidlicky has returned to play for HIFK Helsinki.
Awards
none
Records
- Nashville Predator's franchise record for points by a defenseman in a season (53).
- Nashville Predator's franchise record for assists in a game (5).
- Nashville Predator's franchise record for power play points in a season (35).
Career Statistics
International Play
| 
